Main Dish Recipes

Sandwiches, burgers, meatballs, and more hearty main dishes for hungry crowds.
Recipes

Homemade Roman-Style Pizza Pockets (Trapizzini)

Win the crowd at your next game-day party by combining the awesome powers of pizza and sandwiches.
Recipes

Tri-Tip Beef Roast With Shallot Jus

Because we can't always afford prime rib.
Mexican

Korean-Inspired Crispy Tofu Tacos With Cabbage-Lime Slaw

Perfect for Taco Night or Meatless Monday. (Or both.)
Fried Chicken

Extra-Crispy Fried Chicken With Caramelized Honey and Spice

Super-crunchy, craggy fried chicken coated in toasted honey and spice.

Quick Dinners

Vietnamese-Style Chicken Meatballs With Ginger and Mint

Funky, spicy, and perfect in lettuce wraps.
Nuts

Vegan Cheesesteak With Yuba (Tofu Skin) and Mushrooms

You won't miss this meat in this vegan take on the classic gut-busting sandwich.

Vegetarian

Vegan Italian-American Lasagna With "Ricotta"

Layers upon layers of not-what-it-seems.
Latin American

Braised Lamb Shoulder With Dried Chilies and Dates

The oven shoulders most of the work in this easy lamb shoulder braise.
Vegetarian

Classic Baked Macaroni and Cheese Casserole With Cheddar and Gruyère

Cheesy, gooey, crisp-crusted, and satisfying.
Mains

Oven Barbecue Pork Ribs

No smoker? No worries.
Gluten-Free

Easy Oven-Cooked Pulled Pork

Oven-cooked pulled pork that will please even the purists.
Mains

Quick and Easy Vegetarian Tamale Pie With Brown Butter Cornbread Crust

A 100% vegetarian version of the all-in-one comfort classic that never fails to bring big smiles and leave full bellies in its wake.
Cornbread

Moist and Tender Brown Butter Cornbread

This cornbread has a moist, tender crumb and intense corn flavor.
Mains

Party-Sized Chicken Parmesan Sandwiches

Buttermilk brined chicken parm, packed into a full-size loaf of toasted ciabatta.
Mains

American Chop Suey (Macaroni, Beef, and Cheese Skillet Casserole)

A New England classic that ought to be eaten everywhere.
American

Ultra-Smashed Cheeseburgers

Maximum crust and maximum flavor.
Grilling, Smoking, and Barbecue

Grilled Skirt Steak Fajitas

Flavorful grilled steak fajitas served with sizzled peppers and onions.
Tex-Mex

Broil Your Way to Better Sheet-Pan Chicken Fajitas

Marinated chicken thighs + broiler = dinner.
Mains

Sheet-Pan Skirt Steak Fajitas Are an Easy Weeknight Feast

The key to fajitas in the oven is knowing how to maximize browning.
Braising and Stewing

Cajun Gumbo With Chicken and Andouille Sausage

Thick, hearty, loaded with flavor, and entirely customizable.
Rice

Stovetop Paella Mixta for Four With Pork, Chicken, and Shrimp

This stovetop paella packs a lot more punch than the small service size suggests.
Seafood

Grilled Paella Mixta (Mixed Paella With Chicken and Seafood)

An absolute riot of delicious goodies, all packed into perfectly cooked rice.
Grilling, Smoking, and Barbecue

Grilled Chicken and Pork Paella

A rich and meaty paella for your grill.
Sandwiches

Low-and-Slow Pulled Pork (Smoked Pork Shoulder)

Silky and tender threads of smoked pork, studded with crunchy bits of bark.
Pork

Thai-Inspired Slow-Roasted Pork Shoulder Feast

Turn a simple slow-roasted pork shoulder into a Thai-inspired feast.
Pizza

Homemade Roman-Style Pizza Pockets (Trapizzini)

Win the crowd at your next game-day party by combining the awesome powers of pizza and sandwiches.
Other Vegetables

Tri-Tip Beef Roast With Shallot Jus

Because we can't always afford prime rib.
Tofu

Korean-Inspired Crispy Tofu Tacos With Cabbage-Lime Slaw

Perfect for Taco Night or Meatless Monday. (Or both.)
Mains

Extra-Crispy Fried Chicken With Caramelized Honey and Spice

Super-crunchy, craggy fried chicken coated in toasted honey and spice.

Thai

Vietnamese-Style Chicken Meatballs With Ginger and Mint

Funky, spicy, and perfect in lettuce wraps.
Sandwiches

Vegan Cheesesteak With Yuba (Tofu Skin) and Mushrooms

You won't miss this meat in this vegan take on the classic gut-busting sandwich.

Lasagna

Vegan Italian-American Lasagna With "Ricotta"

Layers upon layers of not-what-it-seems.
Mains

Braised Lamb Shoulder With Dried Chilies and Dates

The oven shoulders most of the work in this easy lamb shoulder braise.
Mains

Ropa Vieja

Shredded and juicy meat bathed in a flavorful sauce.
Spinach

Spinach and Artichoke Dip Baked Potatoes

A party dip puts on a dinner jacket.
Mains

Nacho-Style Baked Potatoes

Skip the tortilla chips for once and go fully loaded baked potato instead.
American

New Orleans–Style Red Beans and Rice

Red beans and rice are good right away, but they're even better the next day.
Cabbage

Indian-Spiced Oven-Cooked Pulled Lamb Sandwiches

All the best qualities of pulled pork, but funkier.
Rice

Creole-Style Red Jambalaya With Chicken, Sausage, and Shrimp

A descendant of paella, with all the global flair of New Orleans mixed in.
Mains

Easy Pressure Cooker Pork Chile Verde

Great chile verde flavor in the pressure cooker, with just 15 minutes of hands-on work.
Italian

Classic Italian-American Stuffed Shells With Ricotta and Spinach

Comfort food at its best.
Gluten-Free

Sous Vide Carnitas for Tacos (Crispy Mexican-Style Pulled Pork)

Use your sous vide cooker for extra-juicy, crispy, and foolproof carnitas.
Mains

3-Ingredient Stovetop Macaroni and Cheese

So easy, it's practically done before you start.
Other Meats

Classic Baked Lasagna Bolognese (Lasagne alla Bolognese)

Baked to hearty-yet-refined perfection.
Sides

Modern Baked Mac and Cheese With Cheddar and Gruyère

A special salt is the key to this amazingly easy mac and cheese.
The Food Lab

Pressure Cooker American Beef Stew

The pressure cooker makes beef stew that's short on time, but long on flavor.
Potato

Ultimate Baked Potato

Fully loaded, flavored fully.
Tomato

Spinach and Ricotta Manicotti

Classic Italian-American ricotta and spinach manicotti, made with fresh pasta and a few little tricks.
Other Meats

Crepe Manicotti With Veal Ragù

An Italian-American classic.
Braising and Stewing

Pure and Simple Slow-Cooked Boston Baked Beans

Take a trip to Beantown's greatest bean dish.
The Food Lab

Barbecue Smoked Beef Chuck

Brisket ain't got nothing on this, baby.
Mains

Sous Vide Smoked Brisket

Sous vide is the key to consistently moist brisket with a smoky bark.
Pork

Cuban-Style Roast Pork Shoulder With Mojo

An easy, pull-apart-tender, extra-porky roast.
Mexican

Cochinita Pibil (Yucatán-Style Barbecued Pork)

You don't need an earthen pit to make this.
Cheese

Yucatecan Pork Belly and Cheese Tacos (Tacos de Castacán Con Queso)

Extra-crispy, extra-browned, extra-cheesy, and delicious.
Mexican

Chiles Rellenos (Mexican-Style Cheese-Stuffed Chilies)

Whether traditional or smothered, chiles rellenos are a crowd-pleaser.
Mains

Sous Vide Sausages

Extra-plump and juicy sausages from the sous vide cooker.
The Food Lab

Hungarian Goulash (Beef Stew With Paprika)

Rich, hearty, and rib-sticking, this is the Hungarian-American goulash of our winter dreams.
Pork

Slow-Roasted Bacon-Wrapped-Pineapple Tacos

Sweet caramelized pineapple wrapped in smoky bacon makes for a great reverse al pastor taco.
Soups and Stews

Easy One-Pot Chicken Tinga (Spicy Mexican Shredded Chicken)

Our smoky and spicy chicken tinga is so flavorful, you don't even need the traditional chorizo.
Mains

All-American Beef Stew

After dozens of pounds of stewed beef and scores of experiments, we've got the recipe for the ultimate beef stew.
Thai

Slow-Cooker Sticky Thai Meatballs

These slow-cooker meatballs in a sticky Thai sauce are guaranteed to be tender and juicy.
Beef

Rich and Flavorful Guinness Beef Stew With Potatoes

An Irish classic with even more flavor.
Chicken

Easy Creamy Chicken Enchilada Soup

Comfort in a bowl, thanks to a rich and spicy broth, melted cheese, and the toasty flavor of chilies.
Quick Dinners

Creamy Garlic Chicken Spanakopita Skillet

This filling Greek-inspired dish turns traditional spanakopita into a one-skillet meal.
Italian

Easy Skillet Baked Ziti With Sausage and Ricotta

A hearty pasta, sausage, and cheese casserole, no oven required.
Bacon

Bacon-Jalapeño Stovetop Mac and Cheese

Bacon-jalapeño mac and cheese so easy, you can make it drunk.
Mushrooms

Shrimp and Gruyère Cheese Grits With Bacon and Mushrooms

Tender, plump shrimp with mushrooms, bacon, and herbs, all atop creamy cheese grits.
Beans and Pulses

Quick and Easy Pressure Cooker Black Beans With Chorizo

Tender, creamy black beans from scratch in under an hour.
Cheese

The Food Lab's Ultra-Gooey Stovetop Mac and Cheese

Just as fast as the blue box, but way, way better.
Grilling

The Best Carne Asada

Buttery, tender, and juicy beef with a nice charred, smoky flavor.
The Food Lab

Sous Vide Barbecue Pork Ribs

When done properly, ribs cooked sous vide are every bit as good as traditional barbecue, if not better.
Sandwiches

Fried Shiitake Po' Boys With New Orleans-Style Remoulade

A vegetarian po' boy so delicious, it should be an instant classic.
Deep Frying

5-Ingredient Fried Chicken Sandwiches

The easiest fried chicken recipe you'll ever see.
Pineapple

Mini Pineapple-Teriyaki-Glazed Salmon Burgers With Avocado

Chubby sandwiches stuffed with salmon, pineapple, peppery watercress, and avocado.
Beef

Jamaican Beef Tacos With Tropical Slaw

A Caribbean classic in taco form.
Mains

Southern Fried Chicken

The crispiest, crunchiest, juiciest fried chicken around.
Mexican

Fully Loaded Mexican Fried Chicken With Green Chili–Corn Waffles

A Mexican-Southern mashup for the ages.
Sandwiches

Chorizo-Spiced Pulled Pork With Mexican Street Corn Slaw

Pulled pork with chorizo spices topped with an elote-inspired creamy corn slaw.
Pressure Cooker

Easy Pressure Cooker Chicken Enchiladas

Tender and flavorful red chile chicken enchiladas in an hour or less.
Soups and Stews

The Best Tamale Pie With Braised Skirt Steak, Charred Corn, and Brown Bu...

Slow-cooked shredded skirt steak topped with corn bread flavored with browned butter.
Soups and Stews

Quick and Easy Skillet Tamale Pie With Brown Butter Cornbread Crust

Deeply flavored, meaty chili and cornbread all rolled into one.
Italian

Italian-American Meatball Subs

Juicy meatballs, creamy mozzarella, and the ideal sub construction.
The Food Lab

The Best Creamy Chicken Enchiladas

Tender chicken in a spicy, smoky salsa verde stuffed into soft corn tortillas and baked with cheese.
Lamb

Roasted Spiced Lamb Ribs With Whole Grain Mustard Sauce

Luscious roasted lamb ribs with a robust whole grain mustard sauce.
French

The Best Moules Marinières (Sailor-Style Mussels)

A 15-minute French classic made with fresh, inexpensive ingredients.
Mains

Tacos de Canasta (Basket Tacos for a Party or Potluck)

These special tacos are sold by bicycle vendors in Mexico, and they get better as they sit.
Pork

Beer-Basted German Sausages With Quick-Pickled Peppers and Onions

Roasted in the oven and basted with beer, these German-style pork sausages turn out juicy, tender, and lightly browned all over.
Mains

Baked Ziti With Two Mozzarellas and Parmesan Cream Sauce

Instead of grainy ricotta cheese, this ziti gets a drizzle of Parmesan cream.
Pork

Smoky and Spicy Apricot-Glazed Barbecue Ribs

Simple, bold ribs with a spicy rub and a fruity, smoky apricot sauce.
Quick Dinners

Smashed Reuben Burgers

A gooey, crusty, amazing mashup of a burger.
Mexican

Tex-Mex Cheese Enchiladas With Red Chili Gravy

Tortillas rolled up around a cheddar-based filling and completely enveloped by a rich red chili sauce, then topped with even more melted cheese.
Mains

Sloppy Chori-Joes (Chorizo Sloppy Joes)

Stuff your sandwiches with creamy avocado and spicy chorizo sautéed with poblano peppers.
Beef

Homemade Italian Beef

The classic Chicago roast beef sandwich, whenever you want it.
Slow Cooker

Slow-Cooker Ropa Vieja With Black Beans and Rice

This Cuban dish of shredded stewed beef flavored with a vinegary tomato and pepper sauce is a natural choice for the slow cooker.
Cheese

Italian Sausage and Fontina Shooter's-Style Sandwich

Topped with a tangy, rich sun-dried tomato and caper relish.
Other Meats

Roast Duck Shooter's-Style Sandwich With Pickled Carrots and Hoisin

A sandwich inspired by Chinese sesame pancakes, packed with Peking-style roast duck.
Sandwiches

Roasted Vegetable and Goat Cheese Shooter's-Style Sandwich

The best roasted vegetable sandwich you can construct for a crowd.
Mains

Carnitas and Oaxaca Cheese Shooter's-Style Sandwich With Spicy Refried Beans

Juicy pork, pickled onions, jalapeños, beans, and gooey melted Oaxaca cheese all packed into one giant sandwich.
Olives

Muffuletta Shooter's-Style Sandwiches

The classic New Orleans cold cut and olive salad sandwich gets pressed.
Sandwiches

Turkey, Bacon, and Broccoli Rabe Shooter's-Style Sandwich

A large format pressed sandwich filled with turkey, sharp cheddar cheese, bacon, and sautéed broccoli rabe.
Legumes

Crispy Fried Chickpea Cake and Slaw Sandwiches

Hearty and crispy vegan chickpea patties flavored with cumin and coriander, topped with a bright tahini-based slaw.
Sandwiches

Roast Pork and Broccoli Rabe Sandwiches

Rich slow-cooked pork and melty Provolone, balanced with bold broccoli rabe.
Pork

Easy Oven-Baked Pulled Pork Sandwiches

This pulled pork is vinegary and mildly sweet.
Deep Frying

Crunchy Fried Fish Tacos

Crispy fish tacos served with spicy mayo, cabbage, and pickled red onions.
Bacon

Bacon-Wrapped Hot Dogs With Avocado, Tomato, Onion, and Potato Chips

Deep fried bacon-wrapped hot dogs topped with a quick salsa.
Mains

Real Tacos Al Pastor

The slow-cooked, crisply charred effect, no rotisserie required.
Ham

Faux Cubano Grilled Cheese

An easier spin on the Cubano.
Bacon

Jalapeño Popper Grilled Cheese

Get your grilled cheese party poppin'.
Mexican

Mexican Fried Eggplant Sandwich (Vegan Tortas and Pambazos)

Hearty sandwiches stuffed with fried eggplant, refried beans, roasted chilies, and pickled red onions, served in a toasted roll doused in enchilada sauce.
Mains

Classic New Orleans Muffuletta Sandwich

The secret is to let it rest before eating so the olive juices get absorbed into the bread.
Snacks

Kimchi Frito Pie

Spicy, savory, and crunchy all at once: the best kind of sacrilege.
Cheese

Crispy, Cheesy Party Sandwiches

These tiny triple-decker sandwiches are buttery, toasty, and oozing with cheese.
Sandwiches

Classic Club Sandwich

As classic as it gets, no changes or additions necessary.
Chicken

Real-Deal Tortilla Soup

Sweet corn and black beans balance the heat in this hearty soup.
Beef

Better Than Chipotle's Beef Barbacoa

Crazy-tender barbacoa made with oxtails and a blend of fruity chilies.
Vegan

Vegan Frito Pie

Pickled onions and jalapeños brighten this junk food classic.
Grilling

Barbecue Meatballs

Meatballs, browned and smoky.
Grilling

Planked Meatloaf

Grilling on a wood plank imparts a nice smokiness here.
The Food Lab

Ultra-Crispy Slow-Roasted Pork Shoulder

Pull-apart tender meat and ultra-crisp skin: It's not the most gorgeous roast in the world, but you'd be hard pressed to find one more flavorful.
The Burger Lab

The In-N-Out/Telway/White Manna Ultimate Animal-Style Slider Mashup

The best elements from three of our favorite burgers in the world, combined into one glorious sandwich.
Chicken

Charred Corn and Zucchini Tacos

Sweet and smoky charred corn gets zesty with a sprinkle of Cotija cheese.
Mexican

Sopes de Pollo con Frijoles (Chicken Sopes With Beans)

Masa magic.
Pork

No-Waste Tacos de Carnitas With Salsa Verde

The undisputed king of the taco cart.
Lobster and Crab

Crabby Falafel 'Sliders'

Crab meat and chickpeas join forces in these harissa mayo-doused sliders.